Lawrence and Sweigers were REALLY bringing it, but that random fall (from him on a 3-turn) really dislocated them. He hurt his back (he said afterwards) and it clearly affected everything that followed, including two lifts that I have no idea how he got up (but he did). He's walking all right, but I think he's hurt (he left the ice pretty much immediately after the skate, whereas she stayed on and collected flowers)

I am sorry but I never saw grace in Brodeur & Mattatal. They are pleasant and their love of skating comes through but I always found them kind of a truck driver pair. Their basics are good enough, but they arent polished in the least.

Anyway Moore-Towers & Moskovitch have clearly already won even though their program isnt over. It was going to take about 3 falls for them to lose at this point anyway. They are skating great so far.

Very very curious about that last lift. I could see it not counting. But yeah, they've won.

What do you mean? It's been there the entire season, so there's no problem.

Congratulations to Kirsten and Dylan!! I was at Skate Canada at Kitchener-Waterloo last season when they made such a huge splash there. We knew then we were watching a team that was going go places and FAST!! Can't wait to see how they do in Tokyo!!

And Congratulations to Megan and Eric on the Silver Medal and other pair of tickets to Worlds!!! Megan's from my area and I've basically watched her grow up over the years. It's beyond wonderful to see her paired up w/someone who I think will end taking her to some place very special in the Future.

What do you mean? It's been there the entire season, so there's no problem.

At Cup of Russia, Smirnov (of Kavaguti/Smirnov) bent his arm in the lift, and my understanding is that the lift counts from when the arm is straight to when its broken (bent), and Dylan bent his arm fairly soon after extending it fully. I'd love for someone with a better eye to double check that (both the rules and my perception of the lift). It wasn't quite as as strong as it was at Skate Canada, anyway. It's still crazy awesome difficult.

I'm more excited about Lawrence/Swiegers than I was before. The mistake was really disappointing because it really shook them up, but the choreography seemed better than I've ever seen it (the transition lifts in particular are wonderfully woven throughout).

Frankly, if Dube/Davison are able to come back next season strongly, I think they with Mt-M could get us the three spots again. And if Mt-M and D/R get the three spots... well, I'd be flustered (the top five is basically set it stone, so they need to be 6th and 7th, and they have the Zhangs and the American teams, along with Hausch and Wende standing in the way).

Frankly, if Dube/Davison are able to come back next season strongly, I think they with Mt-M could get us the three spots again. And if Mt-M and D/R get the three spots... well, I'd be flustered (the top five is basically set it stone, so they need to be 6th and 7th, and they have the Zhangs and the American teams, along with Hausch and Wende standing in the way).

The top 5 are set in stone? Just curious who are those 5 you are thinking of. Presumably Volosozhar & Morozov, Savchenko & Szolkowy, Pang & Tong, and Kavaguti & Smirnov, but who is the 5th team. I would say more like the top 4 maybe are set in stone. And one or both of P&T and K&S could choose to retire at any point particularly if they see they arent competitive for gold anymore.

I can't really see B/L losing the the Canadian, American or German2 team(s).

The Zhangs are a big question mark, but they were dropping like a stone before the injury.

Though my comment was wierd: I think Dube/Davison can get three spots with the other Canadian team next year. I doubt that Canada can get three spots with any combination of its teams this year- D/R and Mt/M would need a major stroke of circumstance for that to happen.

I dont agree Barazova & Larionov are unbeatable for 5th place either this season or next season at all. Dube & Davison in fact would be favored to beat them if they return to form at all. B&L are improving but they were never close to D&D before even when D&D didnt skate well. And actually I am pretty sure Sui will be eligible for Worlds this year. And yes the Zhangs were dropping bigtime even before the injury, who knows if they will even return at all given how quiet things have been.

Congratz to M-T/M, the new pairs champs! Not their best, but clearly the class of the field tonight. I'm really liking their chances for a good finish at the worlds.

It was nice to see Meaghan Duhamel get her jumping legs under her tonight. I think these two have got great potential.

My heart is breaking for L/S They were so on in the first half of that skate, and I really think that if it had continued, they would have been the silver medallists without question. That fall was such a fluke! I was really impressed by how he kept with it when he was obviously shaken up and probably in pain, but I think the deductions they took on those last two lifts alone probably cost them the trip to worlds. It's really a shame that it had to happen to them now, especially after a good GP season. That being said, they're young, dynamic and talented, and I think they are going to have a very long, successful career in the sport. I can't wait to see them come back fighting next season.